Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albrechtsen sets deal deadline
Thursday 22nd May 2008, 12:30PM BST.
Martin Albrechtsen is set to decide on his future in the next fortnight – and Albion are still in the frame.
The former Denmark international is one of three members of the Baggies’ promotion-winning squad who are out of contract this summer.
But agent Michael Johansen, who confirmed there is rival interest from England and across Europe, said: “There are conversations still going on with West Bromwich Albion and I can’t comment too much more than that.
“Martin is on vacation at the moment but hopefully something will be sorted soon. Martin would like it to happen in the next two weeks.”
Albrechtsen has made 138 appearances in four years at The Hawthorns and enjoyed arguably his most consistent season as Albion clinched a return to the Premier League earlier this month.
He finally played regularly in his preferred central defensive position as Albion clinched their first title in 88 years.
But he refused to put pen to paper during the season on an extended contract, choosing to keep his options open and become a free agent in the close season.
He was linked during the campaign to clubs including Italian giants Lazio and Johansen said his client now has options in several countries.
He said: “There are other clubs interested pretty much everywhere, including other clubs in England.”
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No great loss? Been decent this year but wouldn’t get in front of Barnett or Clem for me?
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Ahhh… the overwhelming sound of apathy.
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Get him signed. Always liked him when he played at right back!
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Much as he cost us and has been a good servant to the club, of the three that are out of contract he is the one I would be least diappointted to lose. I like him as a player but I think it is time to improve. As he does have the ability to cover all the way across the back line this meant you could cover a lot of options with him on the bench, but with seven subs allowed next year, this won’t be an issue.
There is a general agreement that we need a couple of quality center halves and if we let Alby go and release Cesar, that’s two berths freed up that we can go out and fill with quality without being overloaded in that area.
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3 – for me he aint a RB and i think the Hoef is much better there.
Albre is a strange player – he has great potential and does the simple things well…. but you can’t help think there are much better options – I think Cesar, Barnett and Clem are at least as good – and we will probably recruit a CB whatever he decides.
I don’t want to see him go as i think he did well this year – but its really not the end of the world.
I’m guessing the E&D will be printing a few of these stories again to pacify the crying dingles – let me guess whats next, Bednar wants to leave….
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I always liked Martin but I just don’t think he has ever lived upto his potential.
Again I would like him to stay but there are a hell of a lot of very decent C/H’s out there.
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Happy we are crying with laughter every time the next boggies player leaves
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if alby left it would not be the end of the world.Steady player prone to the odd mistake but nothing spectacular.Clem & Barnett much better
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Sounds just like an agent allowing the E&D to tout his player. I wouldn’t be suprised that there are teams out there who are interested, as he did a reasonable job in the fizzy pop league but I doubt you will see him leave to a “big” top flight club.
Personally I think we can do better, so thanks very much and see ya!
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Not even sure why the club would want to retain him. We have to buy better, theres no room for sentiment if we are to progress. I’ll never forget his goal against Wigan though.
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On a completely different issue, does anyone know when the new kit is due out?
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7 – yeah look at all the players we have lost this season… there’s…. err… hang on…. umm… there was…. nope, can’t think of any.
keep watching the pages pal – you will soon see plenty of transfer activity on our site – thats what happens when you are a prem club with money to spend… any news on howard yet ?
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ive seen leaked images of the new kits. away is out the end of this month, home the end of July
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I am actually a big fan of Albrechstens and want him to stay, he has pace, decent in the air, and strong in the tackle. I also think the development to his game this year has been excellent.
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boneswba were have you seen them??
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12. I am looking
Phillips, Gera, Albrechsten, Steele, Robinson….
You will have no one left soon apart from Kamara who’s ready to come back.
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Happy………you told me not to bother earlier,
i`ll reciprocate…….it`s pointless mate.
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Any news on us signing Bednar yet? If what ive seen is true both then new kits are pretty nasty….could be worse though, it could be gold and cack!
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get him down the mol
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Saw the new kits last week, somebody on 606 had them and got them emailed to me, they are now actually on this website
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agent trying to drum up business mores like
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Wolves wolves…..you laughed last seaon when we got rid of the primadonnas….and we have won the league.
Didnt you finish 7th? I guess it will be great if you retain all of those players this season huh?What a success that would be.
We are a club that likes to move forward. Didnt you finish lowerthis season than you did the season before?
Laughing at the Albion? We really dont care. It is a pathetic attempt to in some way criticize us.You are not even on most of our radars anymore.You are just a club we like to beat on our way to success. Enjoy the championship next season. Im sure you will see keeping all of your squad as the real sign of success.
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yes,they where 7th….one goal “i think” is’nt there any 1 closer to them”twelve miles ay it” than us? proper derby’s again soon “only hate them we give the ground to” i’m of to get them them shirts ordered, then to the go go….
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7,wilfwilf, not as much as we laff at your supposed signings boing boing in the prem the MOWBURY WAY
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Let him take his Championship win bonus and toddle off to pasta land.
Watch for big signings shortly, then we will be saying who needs him.
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24 Terry.
Haven’t you seen the news, they’ve snatched Vokes from under the noses of the mighty Crewe.
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we need to sign better than this guy.we need at least 8 quality players or its good night mowbery-hello championship again.
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26-were trying to sign a kid from ireland and offered a pathetic amount= EMBARRASING.we need to set our standards higher and be prepared to pay good money out.your comment makes no sense.wish we had kightly–he came from greys.be worried about us forget them.
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